A RARE PAIR OF PRONK PORCELAIN SCONCES

CIRCA 1740

Details

A RARE PAIR OF PRONK PORCELAIN SCONCES
Circa 1740
Each vividly enamelled with a colourful phoenix rising from a burst of gilt flames, gilt rays of light shining down from above, all within a frame moulded and enamelled with strapwork and foliate scrolls and surmounted by a cresting of feathers flanked by phoenix with partially opened wings, later mounted with brass candlearms and brass hanging strap
15in. (38.6cm.) high (2)

Lot Essay

Although this design does not survive in the Cornelis Pronk oeuvre both it and the 'flame dancer' sconces are closely related to the documented Pronk material, and VOC archives contain correspondence referring to "...tapestry sconces...according to the wooden moulds" (see C.J.A. Jorg, op. cit., p. 36). Neither design is known in a form other than the sconce. A single phoenix sconce was in the Mottahedeh Collection, illustrated by Howard and Ayers, op. cit., vol. I, p. 303, and sold Sotheby's, New York, 30 January 1985, lot 186; another single was sold Sotheby's, Monaco, 5 March 1989, lot 450.

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